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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Lok Darjee

‘Everyone has a breaking point’: the immigration judges at the sharp end of Trump’s deportation drive

A collage of a gavel shape with a human eye inside, floating over multiple judge’s blocks on a dark background
Since January 2025, the Trump administration has fired more than 113 immigration judges and pushed out others through buyouts and reassignments. Illustration: Guardian Design / Getty Images

David Koelsch, a former immigration judge based in Maryland, was in Minneapolis visiting his mother and sister the day Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal agents. He drove to Nicollet Avenue, parked a few blocks away, and walked toward the scene.

“I didn’t go there to protest. I didn’t bring a sign. I didn’t bring anything. I just went to stand and bear witness,” Koelsch said.

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